For Malu Antonio Veloso, the only daughter of Pablo S. Antonio, the National Artist for Architecture and Marina Antonio, living in the family house that her father designed was a privilege “that I thoroughly enjoyed.”

To this day, Malu, who took after her mother in the latter’s career as a designer of wedding gowns, lives in the same house that has weathered typhoons, floods, and socio-political upheavals in this country.

The Daily Tribune recently visited the Antonio house, located in the heartland of Pasay City, once a purely genteel residential part of town but has since evolved into a commercial-cum-dwelling area.

The Antonio compound, though, has remained in its pristine purest with lush foliage surrounding this unique house, some parts of which do not have walls or windows, allowing cross ventilation to the delight of the Antonio family and to the surprise of many guests and architecture students who come for research.

Pablo S. Antonio was responsible for a number of edifices and homes in his time, among them the Manila Polo Club in Makati, the Syquia apartments, Far Eastern University, the White Cross Orphanage, the house of Hans and Chona Kasten, and several movie houses in downtown Manila — Ideal, Life, Lyric, and Galaxy, the last four in their heyday a go-to venue for movie lovers.

The Manila Polo Club has kept the original design, although the interiors have been renovated to suit modern needs. The FEU is a jewel in the crown, one of the country’s top attractions, and the finest examples of heritage conservation.

For the longest time, Malu has been receiving diners who want to enjoy her culinary prowess in one-of-a-kind dinners for special occasions. Also, her clients in her dress shop come here and enjoy the pleasure of fitting in a beautiful and elegant atmosphere.

“We have kept true to the spirit of the place, as my father envisioned it to be, and as my mother played her role as the lady of our home, with its cool breeze wafting through the flowing space and the family and our guests enjoying good food and pleasant conversation.

Daily Tribune took photographs of this gem of a home in the metropolis, and we hope our readers enjoy looking at this piece of beauty that could only have been the product of a master’s genius and exceptional artistry.